TONIGHT’S AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MATCHUPS

MARION COUNTY WARRIORS (5-1, 3-0) TYNER RAMS VS (1-4, 1-1) FINLEY STADIUM AT

Storyline: Tyner is still feeling the effects of graduating close to two dozen seniors and has yet to be as consistent offensively or as aggressive defensively as veteran coach Wayne Turner wants. He has used QB Shaylan Bailey to get RBs K’un Webb and Keiontae Halfacre into space, where they can best utilize their athleticism. The Rams’ defense has been anchored by MLB Devon Waight. Dropping a couple of games they shouldn’t have hasn’t dropped the Rams from the postseason picture — they still have four Region 3-2A games and they’re as healthy as they’ve been all year. Marion’s stiffest region challenge to date resulted in a 19-0 shutout of previously unbeaten Boyd-Buchanan. Marion is averaging 41.7 points per game behind QB Isaiah Sampson, LB/TE Alex Kirkendoll, FB/LB Hunter McClain, RB/CB Jacob Saylors and LB/RB Hunter Zeman. Warriors coach Joey Mathis was quick to point out that it still comes down to line play on both sides.

ALCOA TORNADOES (5-1, 2-0) MCMINN CENTRAL AT CHARGERS (3-3, 2-0)

Storyline: Alcoa is an opponent most teams have come to dread. The Tornadoes are perennial state title contenders, and this year is no different. The good thing for the Chargers is they’re as healthy as most teams six games in the season can expect to be, and they are battling for the Region 2-3A lead. The teams agreed only last week to move the game to tonight, and most are expecting Alcoa to put on a show. Central coach Josh Goodin said after watching video, “It’s the same as every other year. They’re good all over the field and I’m not sure that they’re not better than last year.” Goodin added that Alcoa QB Jaylen Myers, who has offers to play for Gardner-Webb and Murray State, is as good as it gets. “He’s slick,” the coach said. “He can get to a lot of places that other people can’t and he gets there fast.” The Chargers have an open date next week before meeting the other region favorite, Christian Academy of Knoxville.